A systematic review on tracheostomy decannulation: a proposal of a quantitative semiquantitative clinical score

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

Table 2 QsQ score: Quantitative and semiquantitative parameters

Parameter	Cut-off	Missing	Fitting
	*Objective quantitative parameters – Main criteria*
Cough	MEP ≥ 40 cmH2O	0	20
Cough	PCF > 160 L/min	0	20
Tube capping	≥24 h	0	20
	*Semi-quantitative parameters – Minor criteria*
Level of counsciousness	Drowsy/Alert	0	5
Secretion	(thick vs. thin)	0	5
Swallowing	Impaired/Normal	0	5
Capnia	paCO2 < 60 mmHg	0	5
Patent airway	Tracheal stenosis < 50% seen by bronchoscopy	0	5
Age	<70	0	5
Indication for tracheostomy	Others/Pneumonia or airway obstruction	0	5
Comorbidities	Present (≥1) or None	0	5

This hypothetical score have the objective quantitative parameters, named ‘major criteria’, and semi-quantitative or subjective parameters, named ‘minor criteria’. For the proposed interpretation and clinical application see the text in Discussion section.
MEP = Maximal Expiratory Pressure; PaCO2 = partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the blood; RR = Respiratory Rate; SaO2 = ratio of oxyhemoglobin to the total concentration of hemoglobin present in the blood; FiO2 = fraction of inspired oxygen concentration.

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